‘I cannot believe he is gone’: Fans, performers pay tribute to British singer Liam Payne
Fellow performers, fans and others were paying tribute to singer Liam Payne on Thursday, hours after the former One Direction member’s shocking death at an Argentinian hotel.
Police in Argentina said they are investigating the circumstances of his death at the CasaSur in Buenos Aires, where the 31-year-old Payne was found dead in a courtyard below a third-floor hotel room.
Britain’s Foreign Office said it was in contact with the “local authorities regarding reports of the death of a British man in Argentina.”
The day had, apparently, started innocently enough, with Payne posting on Snapchat about his trip in Argentina, talking about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.
“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in the video.
Less than 24 hours later, friends and fans were grieving.
One Direction fan Micaela Ibertis told Reuters at a vigil outside the hotel: “I feel like it’s like a dream, like I’m going to sleep now and tomorrow it’s all going to be a lie … I think it’s going to take me a while to accept all this, it’s very complicated.”
Violeta Antier said she had come straight away after being told Payne had died. She had seen him recently at a Niall Horan concert. “He was there, I saw him,” she said. “He was OK.”
Backstreet Boys, Stones’ Wood pay tribute
One Direction found global success after the band was formed on the British version of Simon Cowell’s The X Factor talent show in 2010, bringing together Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” a statement on The X Factor Instagram page said on Thursday. “He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.”
Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, who collaborated with Payne on one of his early X Factor appearances, said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear of Payne’s death.
“It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance. God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones,” said Wood on Instagram.
They enjoyed more than 29 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 with six in the top 10, including What Makes You Beautiful, Story of My Life and Live While We’re Young.
Payne’s co-writing credits include Story of My Life and Night Changes.
The group members have not yet commented on their former bandmate’s death, but Greg Horan, brother of Niall Horan, posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying, “To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement.”
Embarked on a solo career
One Direction’s whirlwind success and fandom echoed boy bands of the past, including Britain’s Take That and American group Backstreet Boys.
“Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat,” the Backstreet Boys said in a statement on social media. “Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and Directioners around the world.”
American singer Charlie Puth was also among those expressing their grief.
“I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me,” he said on Instagram. “He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone.”
One Direction went on an “indefinite hiatus” in 2016 before the band members pursued solo careers.
After One Direction disbanded, Payne released his first studio album LP1 in 2019, and his last single was Teardrop, released in March.
Payne had a son named Bear with Girls Aloud singer and British TV personality Cheryl Cole.
Some tributes on Thursday remembered Payne the person, not just the performer, including one from his former schoolmates.
“During his time at St Peter’s Collegiate Academy, Liam was not only well-liked by his peers and teachers but also recognized for his talents,” a statement on the school’s Facebook account read. “He made a positive impact on our school community, and his contributions will be remembered.”
